Ha Long Bay Itinerary 3: International Cruise Port - Cửa Vạn Floating Cultural Center - Tiên Ông Cave - Ba Hầm Lake - Bà Men Temple - Du Lagoon- Bamboo Forest.
Tour Duration: 06 - 08 hours (travel by boat).
Tour Highlights: Cửa Vạn Floating Cultural Center, Bamboo Forest area, Tiên Ông Cave, Du Lagoon, Ba Hầm Lake, Bà Men Temple.
Itinerary: Starting from the Tuan Chau International Marina, the tourist boat will take visitors to the Hang Trai island range to visit Cua Van Floating Cultural Center -where unique cultural artifacts of the fishing community living on Ha Long Bay are preserved and displayed. Continuing the journey, visitors will explore the Bamboo Forest area, Tiên Ông Cave, Dù Lagoon, and Ba Ham Lake - each offering distinctive natural landscapes on Ha Long Bay. The final stop is the Bà Men Temple, which holds spiritual significance for the fishermen of Ha Long Bay.
. The Cửa Vạn Floating Cultural Center is located in the Tung Sau lagoon, on Hang Trai island. It showcases vivid images and artifacts, introducing the material and spiritual life, as well as the unique cultural values of Ha Long's ancient fishing communities. Visitors can enjoy traditional sea songs, wedding songs and cultural performances, as well as learn about traditional crafts such as net weaving and fishing techniques. You can also visit the local fishing community breeding seafood. At Cửa Vạn Floating Cultural Center, guests can experience kayaking or traditional bamboo boat to explore the ancient fishing village and visit Cậu Vàng Temple, which holds spiritual significance for the fishermen in this area. The scenic landscape, combined with the traditional culture of the coastal people, will offer travelers a unique and unforgettable experience.
The Bamboo Forest area is a valley characterized by a thriving cluster of bamboo, growing densely to create a picturesque forest. The bamboo trees intertwine to form cool, arch-like walkways. With its expansive and spacious environment, the Bamboo Forest is also an ideal habitat for the golden monkeys. Currently, the Bamboo Forest area is not open to visitors. In the future, the Cửa Vạn Floating Cultural Center and Bamboo Forest will be an attractive eco-tourism destination on Ha Long Bay.
Tiên Ông Cave is an important archaeological site on Ha Long Bay. Through artifacts discovered at the cave, scientists have confirmed that it was once inhabited by the Ha Long ancient people during the Soi Nhụ culture, part of the Hoa Binh culture period. Visitors can see remnants of prehistoric Vietnamese life in the cave, such as freshwater shells, mountain shells, and rudimentary tools made of stone and bone, as well as other artifacts displayed in the archaeological excavation pits. With its expansive space and pristine scenery, Tiên Ông Cave is also included in overnight tours on the Bay, where guests can enjoy sunrise and sunset views from the sun decks and savor fresh seafood from the sea. It is truly fascinating to witness the magnificent and breathtaking landscapes that the director of Kong: Skull Island chose as the backdrop for the film.
Dù Lagoon is one of the unique geographical features of Ha Long Bay. It is a large freshwater lake, covering nearly 2 hectares, surrounded by limestone islands. This type of ecosystem is isolated from other bodies of water in Ha Long Bay, preserving its intact biodiversity value. With its tranquil and serene landscape, Dù Lagoon is not only home to several valuable species of flora and fauna in Ha Long Bay but also serves as a distinctive and unique highlight of the Bay's beauty. This area is currently being invested in and renovated, and in the future, it will become an attractive destination.
Ba Hầm Lake has been a well-known landmark for both national and international tourists since the 1930s. Ba Hầm Lake stands out in a vast, quiet space, with a unique structure of interconnected marine basins through caves that pass through the base of the limestone islands with steep cliffs. Nature has skillfully carved crescent-shaped cave entrances that open beneath the islands through long, winding tunnels, decorated with clusters of stalactites in various bizarre shapes, and the gentle sound of dripping water. When the tide rises, the caves are flooded, creating walls that separate the inner lakes from the outside world, adding to their mysterious and enchanting allure. Ba Hầm Lake is also a biodiversity-rich area, home to precious species such as starfish, fish, green mussels, sea turtles, squid, and coral. To admire the beauty inside, visitors must paddle traditional bamboo boats and enter during low tide.
Bà Men Temple is a site of spiritual significance for the fishermen of Ha Long Bay. Located on a large sandy beach at the foot of Cat Ba Island, on the border between Ha Long and Cat Ba Island (Hai Phong), the temple is associated with a mysterious legend about a goddess who always blesses the fishermen. According to Ha Long fishermen, this is a sacred temple, and before setting out to sea, local fishermen often visit the temple to offer incense, praying for good luck, smooth sailing, and bountiful catches. The Bà Men Temple Festival is held on the 19th and 20th of the first lunar month every year, providing an opportunity for Ha Long and Cat Ba fishermen to gather and pray for a peaceful and prosperous year at sea. If you visit Ha Long Bay during this time, you can immerse yourself in the festive atmosphere that reflects the local fishing culture.
After visiting Bà Men Temple, the boat will bring visitors back to the mainland, ending the tour route 3 on Ha Long Bay.
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